Stock Car Legends of the Oval Track - Smokey Yunick

There was no one better at interpreting the rule book, but his true talent lay within unmatched engineering skills

By Jim McFarland

Stock Car Racing, August 12, 2010

Darlington August 31, 1985. Yunick checks David Pearson's spark plugs. "She won't last," Yunick quipped after studying the plugs for a moment. Pearson finished dead last in the race, completing only 17 laps. The reason for the early exit? Engine failure.

Smokey talks with his driver Paul Goldsmith (left). Five of Goldsmith's nine career wins came behind the wheel of a Smokey Yunick-owned and prepared car.

Smokey talks with his driver Paul Goldsmith (left). Five of Goldsmith's nine career wins c

Smokey pushes the notorious 1966 Chevelle. With Mario Andretti behind the wheel, the car set fast time for the 1966 Daytona 500 but drew the ire of NASCAR's Big Bill France when tech inspectors found a number of innovations that pushed to, and beyond, the limits of the rules.

Yunick fixed the violations shown in the official press release and was allowed to race. Andretti, however, would be caught up in an accident on lap 31 and finish 37th in the race.

Yunick fixed the violations shown in the official press release and was allowed to race. A

Yunick had a lot of high-tech machinery, some he built himself. Here, he observes flow around a valve on one such machine.

Yunick had a lot of high-tech machinery, some he built himself. Here, he observes flow aro

Yunick running his dyno, never without his trademark pipe, white mechanic's uniform, or cowboy boots.

Yunick running his dyno, never without his trademark pipe, white mechanic's uniform, or co

Smokey and his trademark hat.

Smokey Yunick and Daytona International Speedway are synonamous. Yunick's cars won four of the first eight Winston Cup races at Daytona International Speedway. But it was his black and gold Pontiacs that twice won the Daytona 500, with Marvin Panch in 1961 and Fireball Roberts in 1962.

Smokey Yunick and Daytona International Speedway are synonamous. Yunick's cars won four of

Yunick at home with one of his nine grandchildren. The grandkids and his dogs, one of which can be seen here, were true loves for Smokey.

Yunick at home with one of his nine grandchildren. The grandkids and his dogs, one of whic